Nozzle arrangement for molten metal container vessel

ABSTRACT

An improved nozzle arrangement for a molten metal container vessel in which the nozzle block passage and nozzle received therein have matching surfaces inclined with respect to the nozzle pouring axis, these matching surfaces being disposed to define a sealable joint between the nozzle and nozzle block and allow installation of the nozzle in the block by insertion into the passage from outside the vessel.

United States Patent Ratcliffe 1 July 25, 1972 541 NOZZLE ARRANGEMENTFOR 2,961,122 11/1960 Lilljekvist et al. ..266/38 MOLTEN METAL CONTAINERVESSEL 3,206,301 9/1965 Daubersy 164/337 3,504,899 4/1970 Breuer et a1...266/38 [72] Beaver 3,145,095 8/1964 Franzen ....266/34 v [73]Assignee: The Badcock & Wilcox Company, Ne 3,292,915 12/1966 Finkl..266/34V Y rk, NY.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] Filed: March 5, 1970 1,281,70112/1961 France ..164/281 [21] Appl. No.: 16,839

Primary Examiner-Gerald A. Dost 52 us. c1 ..222/567, 266/38, 164/337Magulre [51] ..B22d 37/00 [58] FieldofSearch ..266/38;164/136,281,335,ABSTRACT I 164/337; 222/502 567 An improved nozzle arrangement for amolten metal con- 56 tainer vessel in which the nozzle block passage andnozzle Relerencgs Cmd received therein have matching surfaces inclinedwith respect UNITED STATES PATENTS to the nozzle pouring axis, thesematching surfaces being disposed to define a scalable joint between thenozzle and noz- 3,51 1,261 /1970 Blck et a1 ..137/315 Z1e block andallow installation f the "02216 in the Mock by l Calderon insertion inthe passage from utside the essel 2,654,185 /1953 Honiss ..266/382,784,961 3/1957 Coupette et al. 164/335 '2 Claims, 3 Drawing FiguresPATENTED L 25 \972 3.679.105

Z ATTZRNEY NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT FOR MOLTEN METAL CONTAINER VESSEL I Thisinvention relates in general to the casting of molten materials and moreparticularly to an improved nozzle arrangement for a molten metalcontainer vessel.

At present in the various processes for utilizing molten materials, andin particular steel, molten metal is charged into a refractory linedvessel, such as a ladle or tundish, and is dispensed therefrom through anozzle that is received in a nozzle block located at the bottom of thevessel. From time to time it becomes necessary to replace the nozzle byreason of the erosive action of the hot metal that flows through it.Heretofore, the nozzles used in the art have been of such configurationthat they necessarily must be installed from inside the vessel.

When a bottom pouring nozzle is installed in the ladle from the insidethereof it is necessary to cool the refractory lining of the ladle froma temperature substantially that of molten steel down to approximatelyroom temperature, or at least to a temperature which will permit workinginside the ladle to set the new nozzle in its proper position and ramthe refractory clay seal between the outside surface of the nozzle andthe surrounding nozzle block passage.

After the nozzle has been-set, it is necessary to reheat the ladle todry the 'clay packing and eliminate moisture. Before recharging theladle, the ladle and its refractory lining must be preheated to avoidexcessive chilling of the metal tapped from the melting furnace. Thecooling for nozzle repair and subsequent reheating of the ladle normallyconsumes more time than is required to make the next heat of steel.Consequently, for uninterrupted operation, a minimum of three ladles permelting furnace is required. If such cooling and reheat steps involvedwith nozzle replacement could be eliminated, it would be possible tohave continuous operation with two ladles per furnace, since replacementof the nozzle in the empty ladle could be accomplished before thecharged ladle was emptied.

The invention provides an improved nozzle arrangement that is applicablegenerally to any vessel, such as a ladle or tundish, for containingmolten material and having a nozzle block that receives a nozzle throughwhich the molten material is dispensed. While the improvement of theinvention is particularly suited to molten steel container vessels, itis not intended herein that the scope of the invention be limited to useonly with molten steel, and it will be evident that the advantages ofthe invention have broad application to many other molten materialhandling processes.

Basically, the improvement of the instant invention comprises meansdefining a passage in the nozzle block for receiving a nozzle and anozzle received in such passage, with the nozzle and passage havingmatching surfaces inclined with respect to a given reference axis anddefining a scalable joint between the nozzle and nozzle block. Thisreference axis is the central or pouring axis of the installed nozzle.In addition, these matching surfaces are disposed to allow installationof the nozzle in the block by insertion into the block passage fromoutside the vessel. According to a preferred embodiment of the inventionthese matching surfaces are tapered, flairing toward the outside of thevessel.

One of the advantages resulting from the use of inclined matchingsurfaces that are outwardly tapered at any angle up to a right anglewith respect to the intended pouring axis, apart from the fact that suchconfiguration permits installation of the nozzle from outside thevessel, is that a sealant material can be compressed between suchmatching surfaces simply by pushing the nozzle inward along the pouringaxis. Since with such inward noule ramming the outwardly taperedmatching surfaces are brought closer together to minimize the width ofthe joint which they define, leakage of molten metalthrough thenozzle-nozzle block joint is effectively prevented.

With a joint formed by concentric cylindrical surfaces on the block andnozzle, as in prior art designs, the sealant compressibility feature ofthis invention cannot be obtained.

Another advantage of using tapered surfaces is that they afford positivealignment of the nozzle with respect to the nozzle block.

For a better understanding of the invention reference should be had tothe accompanying drawing.

in the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view of a bottom-pouring ladle equippedwith a nozzle arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. 7

FIG. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the ladle illustrated in FIG. 1showing the nozzle block and noule to a larger scale.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a ladle portion similar to that shown in FIG.2 but illustrating a nozzle arrangement according to another embodimentof the invention.

in FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a bottom-pouring ladle 10 adapted tocontain molten steel and having an outer casing 1 1, an insiderefractory lining 12, and a refractory nozzle block 13 installed throughlining 12 at the bottom of ladle 10 and positioned in overlying registrywith an opening 14 in casing 11.

Extending through nozzle block 13 is a passage 15 for receiving arefractory nozzle 16 through which the molten metal contents of ladle 10is dispensed.

Because of the erosive action of the molten metal, nozzle 16 requiresfrequent replacement. To facilitate replacement without waiting for anemptied ladle 10 to cool down to a temperature that would permit workingfrom inside ladle 10. the nozzle block 13 has a tapered conical surface17 defining a portion of passage 15, which surface 17 matches a taperedconical surface 18, on nozzle 16. As better noted from FIG. 2, thesurfaces 17 and 18 are tapered outwardly, i.e. progressively increase indiameter toward the outside ladle l0, and extend over a predeterminedfraction of the total length of nozzle 16 as measured along its centralor pouring axis X.

The matching surfaces 17 and 18 serve to establish and maintainalignment of the nozzle 16 axis X with respect to block 13, to assurethat the molten metal delivered through nozzle 16 will issue as verticalstream with ladle 10 in its normal pouring attitude.

To permit installation of nozzle 16 in block 13 by insertion intopassage 15 from the outside of ladle 10, the passage 15 has a boundarysurface which is disposed in laterally surrounding, spaced-apartrelation to the exterior surface of nozzle 16 so as to define aclearance space thereabout. This boundary surface of passage 15 includesin sequence the conical surface 17, a radially extending shouldersurface 19, a cylindrical surface 20, a radially extending transitionsurface 21 and lastly another cylindrical surface 22. The surfaces l7,I9, 20, 21, and 22 are so dimensioned in relation to the exteriorsurface portions of nozzle 16 which they confront that nozzle 16 can beset into a ringplate 23 resting upon a resilient insulating pad 24 whichis retained by an extended rim 25 of plate 23, and then the assemblednozzle 16, plate 23 and pad 24 inserted through opening 14 into passage15 until surface 18 and shoulder 26 on nozzle 16 contact surface 17 andshoulder 19 respectively on block 13. This positive seating of thenozzle 16 into block 13 compresses a sealant material 27 in the jointassociated with the clearance between surfaces 17 and 18 and surfaces 19and 26 so that it fills and seals such joint.

The sealant material 27 is ordinarily a refractory mortar and can beapplied either to surface 17 of block 13, or to surface 18 of nozzle 16,as desired, prior to insertion of the nozzle 16. Because of the taperedconfiguration of surfaces 17 and 18, advancement of nozzle 16 inwardlywill minimize the width of the joint between the nozzle 16 and block 13and thus tend to spread the sealant 27 so that it will completely fillthe joint. The excess sealant 27 will be extended into the annularclearance space between the shoulders 19 and 26 and the surface 20 andsurface 28 respectively. The advantage of having these controlledclearances and completely mortared joint is that leakage of molten metaltherethrough is prevented.

In accordance with the invention, positive retaining means also areprovided to maintain nozzle 16 in its intended seating engagement withblock 13. This retainer means includes a plurality of lugs 31 eachsupported from casing 11 by a bolt 32 and nut 33. Each bolt 32 isreceived within a fitted slot 34 ad jacent the opening 14 in casing 11,the fit of slot 34 being such that the head 35 of bolt 32 is constrainedagainst turning. Lugs 31 bear against the outside face of ringplate 23and when nuts 33 are tightened, the lugs 31 draw the plate 23, pad 24and nozzle 16 assembly inwardly with respect to block 13. Thus, the lugs31 in combination with the plate 23 and pad 24 provide an effectiveretainer means that engages the outside end of nozzle 16 to secure thesurface 18 thereof in a firmly seated relation to the block surface 17.Adjustability of the lugs 31 also permits varying the clearance spacebetween such surfaces 17 and 18 to effect the desired degree ofcompression of sealant 27.

vln the embodiment of the invention exemplified by F168. 1 and 2, nozzle16 has a tapered surface 18 that extends over a portion of the overalllength of the nozzle, and the compressible insulation pad 24 is retainedin alignment with respect to nozzle 16 by the extended rim 25 thatencompasses pad 24 and the adjacent end portion of nozzle 16.

FIG. 3 exemplifies another embodiment of the invention wherein thenozzle 16' has tapered surface 18' that extends over substantially theentire nozzle length, the nozzle in this case resting upon an insulationpad 24' which is supported by a rimless ringplate 23.

From the foregoing it can be appreciated by the artisan that the basicconcept of the invention as shown in the figures is to provide on thenozzle (16, 16') and the nozzle block (13, 13) respective matchingtapered surfaces (17, l7, 18, 18) to establish alignment of the nozzlewith respect to the block, and to provide in the nozzle block (l3, 13'),a passage (15, 15') that is contoured in relation to the nozzle (16,16'), to allow placement of the nozzles into such position of alignmentfrom outside of the ladle or similar vessel. In any particular case, thedetails of the block, nozzle, and accessories can be varied as desiredwithin the framework of this basic concept.

It should be noted that the matching surfaces 17 and 18, 19 and 26define a sealablejoint between the nozzle block 13 and nozzle 16 that isconstituted by one pair of surfaces, namely surface 17 on block 13 andsurface 18 on nozzle 16 that are inclined at an angle less than 90 withrespect to axis X, and

another pair of surfaces, namely surface 19 on block 13 and surface 26on noule 16. that are inclined at substantially right angles to thereference axis X. While the tapered pair of surfaces 17 and 18 areuseful and serve to establish the alignment of nozzle 16 with respect toblock 13, it is entirely possible within the scope of the invention toachieve a suitable'sealant joint between nozzle 16 and block 13 relyingonly upon the flange and shoulder surfaces 26 and 19 that arepurpendicular to axis X.- For example, an equally effective sealablenozzle joint can be achieved by dimensioning the radial extentot'surfaces 19 and 26 to give a joint of any desired leakage resistancelength.

What is claimed is:

1. In a vessel for containing molten material and having a nozzle blockreceiving a nozzle through which the molten material is dispersed, theimprovement which comprises means defining a passage in said nozzleblock for receiving a nozzle, and anozzle received in said passage, saidnozzle and passage having matching surfaces inclined downwardly andoutwardly from the upper ends thereof with respect to the axis of flowthrough the nozzle, the matching surfaces including a pair of surfacesone on the nozzle block, the other on the nozzle and both inclined atsubstantially right angles to the axis of flow through the nozzle andextending outwardly from the downward end of the nozzle inclinedsurface, said nozzle block passage having a lower boundary surfacedisposed in laterally surrounding spaced-apart relation to the lowerexterior surface of the nozzle to define a clearance space thereabout,said matching surfaces defining a sealable joint between the nozzle andnozzle block, a ringplate supported by the vessel, a compressibleinsulation pad supported by said ringplate and engaging the end of thenozzle to secure the tapered surface of said nozzle in a seatingrelation to the matching tapered surface of the nozzle block passage.said matching surfaces being disposed to allow installation of thenozzle in said block by insertion into said passage from outside thevessel.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said ringplate has anextended rim encompassing said insulation pad and the adjacent endportion of said nozzle to retain said pad in alignment with respect tothe nozzle.

1. In a vessel for containing molten material and having a nozzle blockreceiving a nozzle through which the molten material is dispersed, theimprovement which comprises means defining a passage in said nozzleblock for receiving a nozzle, and a nozzle received in said passage,said nozzle and passage having matching surfaces inclined downwardly andoutwardly from the upper ends thereof with respect to the axis of flowthrough the nozzle, the matching surfaces including a pair of surfacesone on the nozzle block, the other on the nozzle and both inclined atsubstantially right angles to the axis of flow through the nozzle andextending outwardly from the downward end of the nozzle inclinedsurface, said nozzle block passage having a lower boundary surfacedisposed in laterally surrounding spaced-apart relation to the lowerexterior surface of the nozzle to define a clearance space thereabout,said matching surfaces defining a sealable joint between the nozzle andnozzle block, a ringplate supported by the vessel, a compressibleinsulation pad supported by said ringplate and engaging the end of thenozzle to secure the tapered surface of said nozzle in a seatingrelation to the matching tapered surface of the nozzle block passage,said matching surfaces being disposed to allow installation of thenozzle in said block by insertion into said passage from outside thevessel.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said ringplatehas an extended rim encompassing said insulation pad and the adjacentend portion of said nozzle to retain said pad in alignment with respectto the nozzle.